Biden’s China Policy: Old Wine in New Bottles?

V.P. DUTT MEMORIAL LECTURE 2021

Speaker: Prof. Andrew J. Nathan, Professor of Political Science, Columbia University

Chair: Amb. Ashok Kantha, Director, Institute of Chinese Studies

The Biden Administration has continued the Trump Administration’s declaratory policy identifying China as a “strategic competitor.” It has retained Trump’s tariffs, the “Quad,” and other polices. Yet Biden’s China policy differs in five important ways. First, it is coordinated within the administration. Second, it seeks cooperation with allies. Third, it places emphasis on strengthening the U.S. rather than weakening China. Fourth, it raises the profile of the human rights issue. Finally, besides competition, it seeks cooperation with China on issues of common interest. While Trump called the relationship a strategic competition, Biden is treating it truly as that.